Marvin 'Pete' Elden Darling, 87

Marvin “Pete” Elden Darling, 87, of Columbia Falls died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. 

Pete was born December 29, 1928 in Priest River, Idaho to Charles Edward Darling and Mabel Iva Kronkright. Pete came to Columbia Falls with his family in 1929 when he was 9 months old. He attended school in Columbia Falls and was a former Wildcat Football and Basketball alumni. Pete had his first forest job, a summer assignment as a fire guard in the old Coram district, in 1944 when he was still in high school. He worked briefly in the Spotted Bear District in the summer of 1958. He signed on permanently with the Forest Service in 1960. During his career in the U.S. Forest Service Pete had many jobs including law enforcement and fire control officer.   

Before that, Pete made his living working in area lumber mills and helping Columbia Falls contractor Bob Sanders build houses. Pete oversaw the operation and upkeep of the Woodlawn Cemetery for years and was a long time board member. He was a founding member of the Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association in 1996. He also spearheaded a project to build rocking horses for the Toys for Tots program. Pete built dozens of the horses on his own time and with his own money over the years. 

In 2011, the Columbia Falls Lions Club named him “Citizen of the Year.” In 2015, the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce gave him the Community Spirit Award for showing pride, dedication and support to the community.   

Pete was a walking encyclopedia of the town history and was quick with a smile and story. 

Pete is survived by his son Chuck Darling and wife Maryleigh, daughter Judy Benson and husband Steve; grandchildren Evan Darling of Whitefish, Charlie and Eve Darling of Bigfork and Kara and Bill Gustafson of Columbia Falls; great-grandchildren Skylar and Billy Gustafson and Hunter and Tanner Darling; lifelong friend Martha Kassel; nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. 

Pete was preceded in death by his wife Irene; his parents Charles and Mabel Darling; brothers Lester, Clare (Bud), Floyd (Flip), Vic, Donny and Richie. 

There will be a visitation for Pete from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at Columbia Mortuary. A funeral service will be held at noon Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Columbia Mortuary.  Burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery following the service.